December 31, 2014

   As the year neared its end, we took a short trip up the road to see our NC family. We had already been to Arkansas to see those folks, our daughter, son in law, 13 year old grand son and our 10 year old grand daughter, we had hosted our VA kin here in St. Simons (son, daughter in law, 14 year old grandson and our two grand daughters , 12 and 10, so this completed our circuit.

   Our oldest grand son, Sawyer, who is 21 and will be graduating from college this May, our 18 year old grand daughter, Sydney, who is in her freshman year at Occidental College, our son Dwayne and daughter in law, Karen.

   As I think about our conversations and interactions, the subject of time fills my thoughts. Tomorrow will be the beginning of 2015, and, as I look forward into that new year, I am struck by the contrast of what different ones of us anticipate.

   Sawyer is going to be moving on, moving out into the world of work, a new job, a new place to call home, new people in his life, and a new money plan called a budget. He is excited about what is ahead, and rightfully so. It is a new chapter, and he is eager for it to begin. That is good.

   On the other hand, we older folk, look forward to a quiet evening with friends, a hot shower, and flannel sheets to get between on cold nights.

   Quite the contrast, don't you think?

   It is kinda like our daughter in law, Karen, running off into a foggy morning on the beach at Kiawah, the running is good, but the destination is not clear. We all run the race that is set before us, but only God knows what is out there, and what it will look like on any particular day in the future.

   The clock runs for all of us, but our time is in His hands.

   What will happen in 2015 does not lie within the bounds of our control. We have no control. Whether we anticipate great new challenges or just flannel sheets in a cold room, God is in control, and that is all right by me.

   I trust His goodness and His plans.

   So dream on and anticipate excitement and new things (or comfortable old things), knowing that God is out there in the misty fog, getting ready to give you that new day and all it holds. Trust Him, look for His plans and seek His favor.

Amen